Filler valve



Dec. 8, 1936. G. L N MEYER 2,063,326

FILLER VALVE Filed June 5, 195s s sheets-sheet 1 Z fr /5 [NUL 5/ /Z M,fri-T -T Dec. 8, 1936. G. N. MEYER FILLER VALVE Filed June 5, 1935 5Sheets-Sheet 2 0 48 WIN #JH/Z,

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G. L. N. MEYER 2,063,326

FILLER VALVE Filed June 5, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

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Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES -PATENT AOFFICE FILLER VALVE GeorgeL. N. Meyer, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application June 5, 1933, Serial No. 674,405

32 Claims.

This invention relates to bottle iilling mechanisms for counter-pressurelling machines, and more particularly to filler valve mechanisms forcontrolling the iiow of liquid into the bottles or containers to belled.

In the operation of counter-pressure filling machines, the bottles orcontainers are iilled with gas under pressure prior to the admission ofthe liquid. The gas pressure admitted is substantially equal to thepressure of the liquid to be admitted. This method of filling isadvantageous in that foaming of the liquid is reduced to a minimum and,in bottling carbonated liquids, the loss of carbon dioxide gas ismaterially reduced.

Filler valves heretofore used on this type of machine have invariablybeen complicated in structure and all have possessed inherent defects.One of these defects has been the small tortuous liquid and gaspassages. Another defect has been the multiplicity of parts whichincreases the cost of manufacture, renders cleaning diicult, andrequires expert service to repair or replace parts of the valveassemblage.

One object of the present invention is to eliminate small and tortuousfluid conduits in filler valves.

Another object is to produce a filler valve of a comparatively few,rugged parts which may readily be taken apart for cleaning or repairing,and easily reassembled and adjusted.

Another object is to decrease the turbulence which ordinarilyaccompanies the introduction of the liquid into the container. A furtherobject is to prevent gas, which is trapped in the liquid passage, frombubbling up through the liquid in the bowl.

Another object is to produce a valve which has the liquid passageoutside the gas passage and which will automatically shut oi the iiow ofliquid at a predetermined liquid level in the container.

A further object is to produce a valve for use in counter-pressurebottling machines which has the liquid passage outside the gas passageand which will gradually reduce the pressure in the filled bottle toatmospheric.

Another object is to produce a valve which will automatically stop theflow of gas and liquid into the container upon failure of uid pressurewithin the container.

With these and other objects in view, the nature of which will beapparent from the following description, the invention, consisting ofcertain constructions, and of certain parts, improvements andcombinations, will be fully described in the following specification,and pointed out specincally in the appended claims.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a portion of thefiller bowl of a counter-pressure lling machine showing a iiller valvemechanism constructed according to the present invention, and positionedwithin a discharge opening of the bowl with the liquid, gas, and sniftervalves all in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. l showingthe gas control valve in normal open position with the extreme openposition thereofshown in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing bothliquid and gas control valves in open position.

In the embodiment of the present invention chosen for illustrativepurposes, a fragmentary portion of a counter-pressure lling machine isshown. This lling machine is of a well known type wherein a rotatablebowl or tank is adapted to contain both a liquid and a gas. The liquidlevel is maintained within predetermined limits by float controlledvalves and the gas pressure in the bowl is automatically controlled byvalves.

A bowl I0 is provided with a flange II containing an annular groove I2which receives a sealing ring or rubber gasket I3. A cover I4 is adaptedto close the upper portion of the bowl I0 and yis retained in sealingposition thereon by the application of cap screws I5, or other suitableanchoring means. The bottom of the bowl is provided with a plurality ofspaced bosses I6 (one of which is shown) each containing a dischargeopening I1. The discharge opening is reduced to form a shoulder I8 andfurther reduced to form a shoulder I9 which terminates in a bore 20opening into the hollow bowl I0.

The filler Valve assembly of the present invention is retained inposition within the discharge opening II by suitable means which will bedescribed in detail below.

The ller valve mechanism comprisesa cage 2| of such diameter as to iitwithin the bore 20. The cage is provided with an outwardly directed yange 22 which cooperates with the shoulder I9 to limit the upwardmovement of the cage within the bore 20. A liquid passage 23 formed inthe cage 2l is provided with an inwardly directed ange 24 which limitsthe upward ,movement of a liquid controlling valve 25. The valve 25 isguided for vertical sliding movement within the passage 23 by aplurality of spaced vertical wings 26 thereon. The valve 25 is providedwithl a 2 vertical central bore 21 which is threaded to receive anupwardly extending tubular stem 25.

A gas conducting tube 35 which is closed at its lower extremity isthreaded into the lower end of the bore 21 and the central .passage inthe tube forms a continuation of the bore 25 in the stem 25. A pluralityof spaced radially extended ports 3| are formed in the tube 35 adjacentits lower extremity. A second series of similar ports 32 are formed inthe tube above the ports 3|. The ports 32 are opened or closed by themanual ad- Justment of a sleeve l33 which is slidably mounted on thetube 35. A spreader 34 is also adjustably mounted on the tube 35 and byits vertical adjustment it is possible to regulate the ilow of liquidinto the bottle in a manner to be more specifically described below. Aring shapedvalve' seat 3 and a foraminous element 35 encircle the tube35 and are disposed between the liquid controlling valve 25 and thespreader element 34. The valve seat 35 cooperates with the valve 25 tocontrol the flow of liquid through theA bore 23.

The foraminous element 35 comprises a screen 31 suitably secured to aring or washer 35. The openings in the screen are sized to permit theready passage of liquid downward and to prevent the passage of gas upthrough the liquid after the ports 3| and 32 are above the liquid level.A ring or sleeve 35 is secured to the screen 31 and received over theupper end of the tube 3. The clearance between the sleeve 35 and thetube 35 is sumcientlv small to insure the passage received in a guidesleeve 43 which may be formedv integrally with the cage 2l and spacedtherefrom by a pair of supporting legs 44.

A gas controlling valve 45 is provided with a bore 45 adapted to'beslidably received on the upper end of the stem 25. The valve 45 has aplurality oi? ports 41 which admit gas into the passage 25 when thevalve 45 is in open position. A valve cap 45 is threaded into the upperend of the valve 45 to retain a valve seat 45 of rubber or othersuitable material so'as to insure against leakage when the valve isinits extreme downward or closed position. The valve cap 45 has a stem55 of reduced cross section thus forming a head 5I and lower and uppershoulders 52 and 52' respectively. A valve operating lever 53,positioned between shoulders 52 and 52'. is movable to open the gascontrolling valve 45 and to mechanically close both the gas controllingvalve 45 and the liquid controlling valve 25. A coil spring 54 surroundsthe stem 2l and is interposed between the valve 45 and the stop 4 I. The

4spring 54 tends to urge the gas controlling valve has a slightly flaredtop portion 51 and a slightly reduced bottom opening 55. The upper end51v of the tube is ln alignment with the opening in the ring shapedvalve seat 35 and the screen 31 to form a continuation of the liquidpassage from the bowl. The lower end or mouth 53 of the tube lies at themouth ofthe bottle, when the bottle is in raised position, so thatliquid admitted to the tube 55 will be discharged into the bottle. 'Ihespreader element 34 cooperates with the opening 55 to distribute theliquid to the side wall of the container and is adjustable on the tube35 to vary the sizeof the liquid discharge passage and so regulate theflow of liquid into the bottle. The spreader element, in addition toregulating thel ilow of liquid, disperses the column of liquid anddistributes it uniformly over the entire inner wall of the neck of thebottle. By reason of capillary attraction, the liquid is held in contactwith the inner wall of the bottle throughout its descent therein, and asa result the liquid ilows in even distribution and at relatively lowvelocity and causes a minimum amount of agitationduring the fillingoperation.

'I'he snifter valve body 55 is provided with a horizontallydisposed ventpassage 55 which passes through the tube 55 and extends outwardlyterminating in a cavity 55 of a boss 5I. Aplug 52 having a bleed passageis adapted to be threaded into the outer end of the vent passage 55. Asnifter valve cap 54 having an axial bore 55 is threaded onto the boss5I. A valve seat washer 55 of suitable material is retained within thecap and surrounds the inner end of the bore 55. A snifter valve 51 isprovided with 'a stem 55 adapted to be guided in the bore 55. The valve51 is maintained closed bya spring 55 in the housing 55 and is opened tovent gas from the top of the container by a cam (not shown). This cam,or other suitable means, opens the valve against the spring, and gasescapes through the port 55 past one or more dat sides on the stem 53 tothe atmosphere.

A cap 15 retains the several elements in position in the filler valveassembly. This cap has a cavity 1I containing a soft rubber sealing ring12 with a bevelled portion 13 at the lower end of its central opening14. The opening 14 is adapted to receive the lower end of the tube 55. Aflared opening 15 extends downward from the cavity 1I and receives andcenters the mouth of the bottle. An annular channel 15 is formed in thecap 15. The channel 15 serves as a recess within which the boss I5 ofthe bowl I5 is adapted to lie. The boss I5 and cap'15 areeach providedwith vertically extended cooperating slots 11 and 15 respectlvely toreceive and position the snifter valve boss I.

The assembling and positioning of the valve mechanism is extremelysimple. The liquid and gas control valve assembly is inserted as a unitinto the discharge passage I1 in the boss I5 and held so that the flange22 of the cage 2I and valve seat 35 with the foraminous element 35 arein contact with shoulders I 5 and I5 respectively. A resilient gasket 15may then be placed upon the top of the snifter valve body 55 and bothraised into the passage I1 with the boss 5I extending outwardly throughthe slot 11. The cap 15 with the rubber sealing ring 12 in' position maythen be placed over the boss vI5 with the slot 15 therein passing overthe boss 5I of the snifter valve. A.

strap 55 having a forked end 55 may then be secured by astud 5I to thebowl I5 with one end in contact with a stop 32 onv the bowl and the 75forked end 83 spanning the cap 10 land in contact with a pair of ears 84formed thereon. A nut 85 may then be threaded on the stud 8| and tight-`in Fig. 1).

ened to exert a sufficient pressure on the cap 10 to compress the softrubber sealing gasket 12 within the cavity 1| and to compress the gasket19 to insure against liquid leakage past the liquid controlling valve25.

In operation the bowl I is charged in the usual manner with liquid andgas under pressure while the filler valves are in. closed position (asshown As a bottle is raised, in the usual manner, into sealingengagement with the cushion gasket 12 it forms an air-tight sealtherewith. Subsequent to this the valve operating lever 53 is raised bysimple cam action or other wellknown mechanical means. As the bifurcatedportion of the lever 53 raises, it contacts the shoulder 52' and urgesthe valve 45 upward against the gas pressure in the bowl to the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. In this position the valve 45 is open,and gas flows through the tubes 28 and 30, and outthroughthe ports 3|and 32 into the bottle to be lled. When the pressure in the bottle isapproximately equal to the pressure in the bowl the valve 25 is raisedfrom its seat 35 by the coil spring 40 and allows liquid to ow from thebowl I0 through the bore 23 past the valve 25 and through the screen 31into the tube 56 from which it is discharged onto the spreader element34 and into the container. During the filling operation the gasdisplaced in the bottle by the incoming liquid is vented through theports 3| and 32, the tube 30, the passage 29 and through the open gascontrol valve 45.

When the bottle has filled to a height where liquid covers ports 32 airventing ceases through the ports and gas pressure builds up in the tube56 and shuts off further iiow of liquid. 'I'his condition is broughtabout by the surface tension between the liquid and the fine mesh of thescreen 31 in the liquid passage which is of suiiicient strength topreclude the escape of gas upwardly from the neck of the bottle throughthe liquid passage and to preclude the passage of the liquid downwardlyagainst the increased gas pressure. At this time the valve operatinglever`53 is directed downwardly and the bifurcated end thereof engagesthe face 52 on the cap 48 to close the gas controlling valve 45 and seatthe liquid controlling valve 25 (as shown in Fig. l). Subsequent to theclosing of the liquid andl gas controlling valves, a cam or othersuitable operating means engages the stem 68 of the snifter valve 61 andunseats it to permit the entrapped gas pressure in the neck of thebottle to be slowly discharged through passage 59, bleed passage 63,chamber 60, past the open valve 61 and out to atmosphere. At this timethe bottle is withdrawn from the filling tube in the usual manner andremoved or conveyed from the machine.

A safety feature is also Aincorporated in the present valveconstruction. After the gas control valve 45 has been raisedmechanically by the cam operated lever 53 to the dotted line position ofFig. 2 to admit counter-pressure gas to the bottle, the lever 53 ismoved downwardly by mechanical means to a position shown in fulllines inFig.2, wherein the ports 41 of the gas control valve 45 are still in-aposition to admit gas to the passage 29. If no bottle has been providedbeneath the filler valve mechanism or if an imperfect seal has been madethe pressure of the gas in the4 bowl will be sumcient to act upon thehead 5| of the valve cap 48 and return the valve 45 to its closed orseated position against the action of the coil spring 54. The neutralposition of the valve operating lever 53 is maintained throughout thefilling operation and hence should the seal between the bottle andgasket 12 be broken or should the bottle burst during the fillingoperation the pressure in the bowl is suflcient to effect an automaticclosing operation of both the gas and liquid control valves and thusprevent either the escape of liquid or gas from the bowl.

It will readily be understood from the foregoing description that asimple, sturdy and efficient filler valve mechanism has been provided.Furthermore, the entire valve mechanism is readily removable as a unitfrom the bowl for inspection, cleansing or repair by the removal of asingle nut 85 after which the entire valve assembly may readily bewithdrawn by merely turning the valve operating cam to a position inwhich the lever 53 is fr ee from engagement with the valve cap 48. 'Ihedevice is of extremely simple design so that any replacement or repairmay be readily effected by anyone with reasonable assurance that thevalve will function efficiently upon reapplication to the machine. Thiscondition is possible by reason of the fact that no ne adjustments arerequired in the present valve in order to insure its proper andefficient operation.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail in theforegoing specification, it is understood that various changes may bemade in its embodiment Without departing from or sacrificing any of theadvantages hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure llers comprising, a movablestem, a liquid controlling valve mounted on said stem to move therewith,a movable gas controlling `valve on said stem, and means to effectmovement of said gas controlling valve independently of movement of saidstem.

2. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising, a movablegas tube,.a liquid controlling valve xed on said tube intermediate theends thereof, a gas controlling valve movable on said tube ladjacent theupper end thereof, means to effect movement of said gas controllingvalve independently of movement of said tube, and a spreader element onsaid tube below said liquid controlling valve.

`3. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising, a liquidcontrolling valve, a

gas tube depending from said valve, and a foraminous element surroundingsaid tube below said liquid controlling valve.

4. A valve mechanism of the character described comprising, a liquidconduit, a liquid ccntrol valve movable to control the flow of liquidthrough said conduit, a gas tube mounted in and depending from saidvalve and having a plurality of ports in the lower end thereof, andadjustable means to cover said ports.

5. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising, a hollowstem, a liquid controlling valve fii'red on said stem intermediate theends thereof,` a. gas controlling valve movable on said stem above saidliquid controlling valve, a .spreader element on said stem below saidliquid controlling valve, anda foraminous element on said stem.

6. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising, a stem, aliquid controlling valve fixed on said stem, a movable gas controllingvalve on said stem above said liquid controlling valve, means to closeboth the said valves, means to open said gas controlling valve, and

. means to open said liquid controlling valve.

7. A illler valve mechanism for counter-pressure llers comprising, astem, a liquid controlling valve on said stem, a movable gas controllingvalve on said stem in axial alignment with said liquid controllingvalve, means to close both of said valves, means to open said gascontrolling valve, and means to open said liquid controlling valve.

8. A valve mechanism, i'or counter-pressure iillers comprising, a stem,a liquid controlling valve fixed to said stem, a gas controlling valvemovable on said stem, a gas tube depending from said liquid controllingvalve, means to close both of said valves, means to open said gascontrolling valve, means to open said liquid controlling valve, and aspreader element on said gas tube.

9. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising, a liquidcontrolling valve, a gas tube extending through said liquid controllingvalve, a gas controlling valve on said tube, means to close both of saidvalves, means to open said gas controlling valve, means to open saidliquid controlling valve, and avioraminous element surrounding said tubeadjacent said liquid controlling valve.

10. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising,y a liquidcontrolling valve, a gas tube extending through said liquid controllingvalve and having vent holes therein below said liquid controlling valve,a gas controlling valve on said tube above said liquid controllingvalve, means to close both of said valves, means to open saidgascontrolling valve, means to open said liquid controlling valve, andaspreader element adjustably mounted on said tube labove said vents.

11. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure illlers comprising, a liquidcontrolling valve, a gas tube extending through said liquid controllingvalve and having vent holes therein below said liquid controlling valve,a gas controlling valve on said tube above said liquid controllingvalve, means to close both of said valves, means to open said gascontrolling valve, means to open said liquid controlling valve, aspreader element adjustably mounted on said tube above said vents, and aioraminous element surrounding said gas conducting tube above saidspreader element.

12. A filler valve mechanism for counter-pressurevilllers comprising, astem, a liquid controlling valve on said stem, resilient means forurging said liquid controlling valve 'to open position, a gascontrolling valve on said stem, resilient means for urging said gaslcontrolling valve to open position, and means to close both of saidvalves against the action of both said resilient means.

13. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure llers comprising, a liquidcontrolling valve, a gas tube extending through said liquid controllingvalve and having an outlet below said valve,

resilient means for urging said liquid controlling valve to openposition, a gas controlling valve on said tube above said liquidcontrolling valve, resilient means for urging said gas controlling valveto open position, and means to close both of said valves against theaction of both said resilient means.

14. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure iillers comprising, a stem, aliquid controlling tion, a gas controlling valve on said stem above saidliquid controlling valve, resilient means for urging said gascontrolling valve to open position, means to close both of said valves,a gas tube depending from said liquid controlling valve,

a spreader element on said tube, and a i'oraminous element surroundingsaid tube above said spreader element.

15. A iiller valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers comprising, astem, a liquid controlling valve on said stem, a gas controlling valveon said stem above andl in axial alignment with said liquid controllingvalve, a snii't valve below said liquid controlling valve, means to eectthe closing of each of said valves, and means to eiect the independentopening oi' said liquid and gas controlling valves. 1

16. The combination with a nller bowl containing a liquid under pressureand having a discharge opening, of a valve assembly, said valve assemblycomprising, a valve cage,1 a liquid controlling valve within said cage,a hollow stem extending through said liquid controlling valve, a gascontrolling valve on said stem above said liquid controlling valve, aliquid conduit below said liquid controlling valve and surrounding saidgas conduit, a sniit valve communicating` with/ said liquid conduit,means to close each oi said valves and means to eilect the independentopening of the liquid and gas controlling valves.

17. The combination with a filler bowl adapted to contain a liquid underpressure and hav'- ing a discharge opening, of a ,valve assembly adaptedfor retention within said discharge opening, said valve assemblycomprising, `a valve cage having a liquid conduit therethrough, a liquidvalve to control the flow of liquid-through said conduit, a gas tubeextending through said liquid controlling valve, a gas controlling valveon said tube above said liquid controlling valve, an element below saidvalve cage having a liquid passage therethrough, and a snift valvecommunicating with the liquid passage in said element. l

18. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure fillers. comprising, a hollowstem, a liquid controlling valve iixed on said stem, a valve on` saidstem above said liquid controlling valve to control the ilow of gasthrough said stem, a sniit valve belowsaid liquid controlling valve,means to close each of said valves, and means to e'tl'ect independentopening of the liquidand gas controlling valves.

19. A valve mechanism for application to a discharge opening of a fillerbowl containing a liquid and gas under pressure, said valve mechanismcomprising, a valve casing adapted to be releasably retained within thedischarge opening of the iller bowl, said casing having a liquid conduittherein, a'movable liquid valve to control the flow of liquid throughsaid conduit, a hollow stem extending through said liquid valve, a valveon said. stem I4to control the flow of gas through the stem, and a sniftvalve in communication with said liquid conduit.

20. In a counter-pressure filler for containers, the combinationv of, agas tube projecting into said container and adapted to deliver gasthrough an opening therein to the container, a liquid conduit above saidopening to deliver liquid to said container to a height.'l above saidopening whereby gas is trapped in said liquid conduit, and a foraminousAelement in said liquid conduit having holes therein of suiiicient sizeto prevent the trapped gas from passing through the ioraminous elementagainst the liquid pressure.

21. The combination recited in claim 20 in which the liquid conduitencircles the gas conduit.

22. The combination recited in claim 20 including a valve in said liquidconduit.

23. 'I'he combination recited in claim 20 including a valve in saidliquid conduit, and a valve controlling the now of gas through saidtube.

24. In a counter-pressure ller for containers, the combination of, a gastube projecting into said container and adapted to deliver gas throughan opening therein to the container, a liquid conduit above said openingto deliver liquid to the container to a height above said openingwhereby gas is trapped in said liquid conduit, and means in said liquidconduit operable when gas pressure lis built up in the conduit to stopthe ow of liquid therethrough. Y

25. 'Ihe combination recited in claim 24 in which the liquid conduitencircles the gas conduit.

26. The combination recited in claim 24 including a valve in said liquidconduit and a valve controlling the flow oi gas through said tube.

27. In a counter-pressure lling mechanism, the combination of, a gascontrol valve, a liquid control valve, a mechanism to open said gascontrol valve independently of said liquid control valve and to closeboth of said valves, and means independent of said mechanism when thegas control valve is open to open said liquid control valve.

28. A counter-pressure illling machine to ll bottles or the like,comprising, a filler bowl adapted to contain a liquid and a gas underpressure, a filler valve mechanism comprising, a gas conducting tubeextending into said gas and adapted to deliver gas to said bottle, a gascontrol valve controlling the ow of gas through said tube, a liquidconducting tube adapted to deliver liquid to said bottle, a valve tocontrol the ow of liquid through said liquid conducting tube, means toopen said gas control valve against the pressure or said gas, and meansto maintain said gas control valve open during normal lling operation,said last named means being rendered ineffective upon failure ofpressure in the bottle to allow the gas control valve to close.

29. A counter-pressure iilling machine to till bottles or the like,comprising, a iiller bowl adapted to contain a liquid and a gas underpressure, a ller .valve mechanism comprising, a gas conducting tubeextending into said gas and adapted to deliver gas to said bottle, a gascontrol valve controlling the flow of gas through .said tube, a liquidconducting tube adapted to deliver liquid to said bottle, a. valve tocontrol the ow of liquid through said liquid conducting tube, means toopen said gas control valve against the pressure of the gas, means tomaintain said gas control valve open during normal filling of saidbottle, and means fto open said liquid control valve and to maintain thesame open during normal nlling operation, said last two means beingrendered ineii'ective to permit said valves to close in the event offailure of pressure in the bottle.

3D. A valve mechanism for counter-pressure llers comprising, a gas tubehaving an outlet at the lower end thereof and depending into a containerto be iilled, a liquid tube opening into the container above the levelof said outlet whereby gas is trapped in the container and in the liquidtube above said outlet when the liquid level in the container risesabove the outlet, a liquid valve and a gas valve to control the now offluids through said liquid and gas tubes respectively, and a sniit valvecommunicating with'the liquid tube below the liquid valve to vent thetrapped gas.

31. A valve mechanism as defined in claim 30 including a ioraminouselement interposed across the liquid passage to prevent air trappedtherein from passing upwardly through the liquid in the counter-pressureller.

32. A valve mechanism as defined in claim 30 including means in saidliquid tube to prevent the trapped gas passing through the liquid in thecounter-pressure illler.

GEORGE L. N. mima.

